Tags: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Seinen

Sub-Tags: Age-Gap, Misunderstandings

A Single Mother’s First Date!

All That Could Go Wrong Before a Date

Is there a chance that an age-gap romance can blossom? After the first volume, all signs point to an overwhelming maybe!

With Takkun’s confession all out in the open, the second volume finds the two age-gap romantics’ relationship in a kind of limbo. Ayako’s inability to give a straight answer to the confession has the two pussyfooting around each other, not quite knowing where they stand with one another. As a solution to the situation, Takkun suggests moving the relationship forward by asking Ayako out on a date.

Unfortunately for Takkun, the best-laid plans often go awry, and his plans for the first first date suffer one misfortune after another. Takkun’s detail-orientated nature deals him a blow as he overstresses himself and becomes ill on the eve of their original date. Although, it’s not all bad, as Ayako comes to nurse him back to health.

Delaying the date also allows the two lovebirds to become closer due to the schemes of one of Ayako’s close friends and boss, Yumemi. Her meddling forces Ayako to reveal all the positive qualities that Takkun has to offer.

All That Could Go Right During a Date

After their little setback, the second half of the volume finally finds the two able to go on their first date, with the choice of venue being a theme park.

Whilst the choice of a theme park may seem a little odd at first, Takkun’s thought process for the event is clear. Having had most of her twenties taken up raising Miu, Takkun hoped to recapture some of those youthful moments Ayako inevitably missed out on. Takkun’s idea worked a treat as Ayako seemed truly happy throughout these date scenes.

Ayako and Takkun’s time together doesn’t end at the end of the date, however, as a flat tire and a torrential downpour forces the two to spend a night at a love hotel. Obviously, nothing happens between the two, but they end up getting closer through a late-night chat. In a series such as this, any progress is good progress.

Overall, the second volume of You Like Me, Not My Daughter makes for a wonderful sequel, as the potential lovebirds are determined to progress beyond their current point of limbo.

With the first volume dealing with the practicality of an age-gap romance, the second instalment has a heavier focus on compatibility. Through the volume, the story showcases what they like about each other as well as showing how well they work together. If they hadn’t worked well together, it would’ve been highly likely that their first date would never have gone ahead.

As the end of the volume finds Ayako on cloud nine, her world is about to be turned upside down. Miu, frustrated with their lack of progress, has declared war by announcing that she’ll join the battle for Takkun’s affection. For the third volume, the author is looking to move the series forward by having Ayako deal with an ultimatum – acknowledge her feelings or lose Taku.